Nets’ Ben Simmons exits early with leg injury
MINNEAPOLIS — The Nets lost a game, and lost Ben Simmons.
Again.
Brooklyn’s starting point guard was forced out of Saturday’s 101-86 loss at Minnesota with a leg injury and didn’t return.
His status is unclear.
“No, it’s a knee situation. We don’t have any clarity on it yet. We’ll go back and get some tests and make sure he’s OK. I don’t know his availability for Monday,” said interim coach Kevin Ollie, who initially suggested Simmons would be getting imaging as well — i.e., X-rays, MRI exam, etc.
A team spokesperson later clarified that Simmons had left leg soreness.
Simmons was forced out of the game with the injury with 8:04 left in the third quarter. He was ruled out for the rest of the evening.
Simmons declined comment after the game.
Any injury to Simmons is concerning.
He has played just 56 games for the Nets since being acquired at the 2022 trade deadline at the cost of former MVP James Harden.
Most of that missed time has been because of a herniated disc, and leg injuries brought on by those aforementioned back woes.
Cam Johnson has been pulled from the Nets’ starting lineup. And it clearly wasn’t a one-off, coming off the bench for a second straight game Saturday against the Timberwolves.
“Just understanding what we have, making sure we have the right people on the court that we want to play and start the game with, and then just figuring it out,” Ollie said. “I told CJ to have that power off the bench, coming with his shooting powers that he has, understanding his role, embracing his role.
“And roles change definitely as we go through this thing. Roles are going to change; nothing is permanent. But I want him to embrace this team role that he has and come out there and play his best minutes. And I think we’re going to see that from CJ and understanding that we have to do things as a team and focus on that.”
Before the past two games, Johnson’s only other reserve appearance this season had been in the final game before the All-Star break, but that was because of a minutes limit after having missed the prior four games with an adductor injury.
But this is a different situation and not based on any restriction.
“No. Not that I know of,” said Johnson, under the impression it was more about Ollie testing out various lineups. “I guess so. Figuring out those combinations.”
This is the first time Johnson has been a reserve since 2021-22 in Phoenix. And it’s an adjustment.
“It’s a work in progress,” Johnson said. “Just trying to figure it out. Trying to figure out what’s best for the team and help us win.”
Johnson — who just inked a four-year, $94.5 million extension — struggled when he came off the bench in Thursday night’s loss at Toronto, Ollie’s debut as interim coach. He had just six points, shooting 1-for-7 overall and 0-for-6 from 3-point range.
Saturday in Minnesota, he finished with 10 points and seven rebounds in 22 minutes.
“It’s just about finding that rhythm,” Johnson said. “We’re all very routined, and I think the routine is important in a long season like we have, so finding what works for you, finding how to manage your emotions, your energies going into the game. It’s a little different from both sides. So like I said, work in progress.”
Ollie acknowledged the situation could change, and Johnson could earn the starting role.
“Yeah. Just seeing what the lineups are right now, understanding the process that we’re going into, evaluating it each and every day,” Ollie said. “And we want to get better and better each and every day. And it’s gonna take all of our guys, not just the starters, the bench guys, to understand what we’re going through, understand how they can be a superstar in their role and figure that out.”